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Top 8 Video Game Subscription Services, Ranked 2024

Top 8 Video Game Subscription Services, Ranked 2024

    Gaming is starting to look more and more like Netflix and Disney+: Instead of buying a disc at the store and popping it in at home, you have a bevy of services from Sony, Microsoft, Nvidia, Nintendo, and more that provide tons of games for a monthly price, or even stream them without the need for a long download. Every gaming platform has monthly game subscriptions, from Xbox Game Pass to PlayStation Plus. There's no denying that gaming subscriptions are here to stay. Gaming subscription services can definitely be worth it if the library of games and price is good. In this guide, we’ll be recommending the top gaming subscription services to check out in 2024, along with the price, platforms supported, and target audience for each.

Cover Photo:nvidia.com

1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

  • Best for multiplatform gaming

  • Price: $14.99 per month at official website (3-month for $44.99 at Best Buy)

  • Trial: the introductory price is $1 for the first three months

  • Supported hardware: Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Windows PCs, Xbox game consoles 

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the gold standard, offering a catalog of games across console, PC and cloud (which works on practically any device). At $15 per month (after a $1 30-day trial), Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is roughly the cost of a Netflix subscription. And much like Netflix, Game Pass specializes in variety. You can access the entire Game Pass and EA Play libraries on your PC and Xbox, along with online multiplayer and discounts in the Microsoft Store (no need for a separate Xbox Live Gold subscription). This also includes Microsoft's game streaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming (previously called xCloud), which is in beta and streams games from the internet to your Xbox, Windows PC, or phone. 

If you want everything Microsoft has to offer, you can get it all in Game Pass Ultimate. With more than 400 games in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate library, there really is a game-and likely many games--for everyone, regardless of which genres you favor.  It's one of the best deals in gaming right now—though that really depends on your habits. If you play a lot of different games, it's worthwhile—but if you tend to stick to a few titles for months at a time, it might not be as compelling. 

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Source:bestbuy.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • More than 100 games for both Xbox and Windows 10

  • Expensive compared with other subscription-based gaming services

  • All Xbox Game Studios games available on release day

  • Cloud gaming is still in beta, and suffers occasional lag

  • Xbox Live Gold included


  • Cloud gaming included


  • EA Play will be included starting holiday 2020


Where to Get Video Game Subscription Services?

You can gBest Buy or Amazon to subscribe your video game services, and don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?) , then you can get up to 0.5% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus

Or you can order your video game subscription services at their official websites.

2. PlayStation Plus

  • Best for PS4 and PS5 gamers

  • Price: $9.99 to $17.99 per month at PlayStation; PlayStation Plus cards from $30 at Best Buy.

  • 7-Day Free trial

  • Supported hardware: PlayStation game consoles and PCs

This service has gone through a dramatic change in 2024. The new PS Plus incorporates a large game catalog and also Sony's PS Now cloud gaming service. Subscribers have access to three tiers

1. PlayStation Plus Essential 

Enjoy all the core PlayStation Plus benefits: join your friends in online multiplayer, add new games to your collection every month, get incredible deals from PlayStation Store, and more.

Monthly GamesOnline MultiplayerExclusive DiscountsThe PlayStation Plus Collection
Game HelpCloud StorageExclusive ContentShare Play

2. PlayStation Plus Extra

Get all the great benefits included in the PlayStation Plus Essential plan, as well as access to the Game Catalog, featuring hundreds of games from genre-defining blockbusters to innovative indies, with new titles added regularly.

Game CatalogUbisoft+ ClassicsMonthly GamesOnline MultiplayerExclusive Discounts
The PlayStation Plus CollectionShare PlayGame HelpCloud StorageExclusive Content

3. PlayStation Plus Premium

Enjoy all the core PlayStation Plus benefits, hundreds of games in the Game Catalog, as well as exclusive benefits like game trials, cloud streaming, and the Classics Catalog.

Game TrialsCloud StreamingGame CatalogUbisoft+ Classics
Monthly GamesOnline MultiplayerExclusive DiscountsThe PlayStation Plus Collection
Share PlayGame HelpCloud StorageExclusive Content

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Source:playstation.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • Three price options

  • Lots of shovelware

  • Expanded cloud streaming

  • Poor discoverability

  • Big game catalog

  • Missing key Sony games


  • No mobile app yet, PC app isn't great

3. Nintendo Switch Online 

  • Best for retro gamers

  • Price: £3.49/$3.99 a month, £17.99/$19.99 a year

  • 7-Day Free Trial

  • Supported hardware: Nintendo Switch

Nintendo’s online multiplayer service costs $3.99 per month ($7.99 quarterly or $19.99 per year) for an individual membership or $34.99 per year for a family membership. You can play games online with friends, save games in the cloud, use voice chat in supported games, and gain access to a library of more than 100 classic NES and SNES titles. You can also use the Nintendo smartphone app to receive occasional special offers. A family membership covers up to eight separate accounts in your family group and enables you all to play and enjoy membership benefits on multiple Switch consoles simultaneously (an option that is sadly lacking on PlayStation and Xbox).

While a rather good deal overall, the Switch’s online play isn’t exactly robust and reliable, and there really aren’t too many “big” games that actually require a subscription to access online play. Really, Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are the only Switch multiplayer games that most would want to fork a subscription out for.

1666332451245547.png

Source:bestbuy.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • Lets you back up your save data

  • Not all games are compatible with cloud saves

  • Allows you to use multiple Switches by keeping saves in the cloud

  • Unsatisfying voice chat

  • Lets you recover your saves if your system gets lost or damaged

  • Popular games like Pokémon, Splatoon, and FIFA do not support this feature

  • One save per profile is allowed

  • There is no option to keep or move save data to an SD card or game cartridge

  • Try out games during game trials

  • Hardware failures may result in the loss of saves forever

4. Nvidia GeForce Now

  • Best for multiplatform gaming

  • Price: $9.99 a month or $19.99 a month

  • Free Version

  • Supported hardware: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Nvidia's Shield TV

Nvidia GeForce Now is quite different than other services on this list. There isn't a library of games to choose from; you have to purchase the games from digital storefronts just as you would regularly. After connecting GeForce Now to your libraries such as Steam or the Epic Games Store, you can then stream your games via the cloud, taking advantage of premium rigs. GeForce Now is aimed at people who either don't have a high-end gaming PC or want to game on the go, too. The service is supported on PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Nvidia's Shield TV. There are three tiers of memberships: the service costs $10 a month for a version that supports 1080p resolution at up to 60 frames per second. For $20 a month, a premium tier supports 4K resolutions at up to 120fps. A free tier is a great way to try it out, but limits you to one hour of play at a time. 

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Source:nvidia.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • 1080p60 video with no noticeable input lag on a fast connection

  • Requires fast internet connection

  • Supports many games on Steam, Battle.net, Epic, and UPlay

  • Only free-to-play games available aside from titles you already own


  • Some general user interface and library integration wonkiness

5. Apple Arcade

  • Best for casual gamers

  • Price: $5 per month

  • One-Month Free Trial

  • Supported hardware: Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, Mac

Apple Arcade launched in 2019 and now has more than 200 games. There isn't a single microtansaction to be found here, and it only costs $5 per month or $50 per year. And you can use family sharing to give up to five family members access. Better yet, you can get three months of Apple Arcade for free if you buy a new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV, or Mac. There are compelling, exclusive games in Apple Arcade, and the company keeps adding a few new titles each month.

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Source:apple.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • Unintrusive and Uninterrupted Experience

  • Not Ideal for Hardcore Video Game

  • Cross-Platform Access and Playability

  • Playability Limited to Apple Ecosystem

  • Inexpensive and Flexible Subscription Plan


  • Massive and Expanding Game Library


6. EA Play

  • Best Subscription for Budget

  • Price: $4.99 to $14.99 per month

  • No Trial

  • Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

EA Play is a budget-friendly subscription service with a lot of perks for the price. It's only $5 per month or $30 for a whole year. So, yeah, you're only paying $2.50 per month if you opt for the annual membership.While most of the titles offered are older sports games, you can also find newer entries from notable franchises like Star Wars, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Need for Speed, Battlefield, Plants vs. Zombies, and more.  Subscribers have access to two tiers:

The starting price for EA Play is $5 a month but you can get six months for free by signing up for the full year for just $30.

There’s also a ‘Pro’ tier for PC that costs $15 a month or $100 for a whole year and includes some extra perks. EA Play Pro members are given a 10% discount in EA’s digital store (previously called Origin), early access to certain games (up to 5-days before they launch), and can access a rotating selection of first and third-party games via The Vault.

But EA Play is also included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. In other words, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you can get EA Play as part of the service for no extra charge. 

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Source:ea.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • Cheap

  • Is included with other services as a combo

  • Available for multiple platforms


  • Big library of games


7. Google Play Pass

  • Best for: Android users

  • Price: $4.99 per month

  • Platform: Android

Like Apple Arcade, the Google version for Android phones includes lots of games, but also other apps. It works on Android devices only. 

There are many hundreds of games on Google Play Pass, though Google doesn't offer an exact figure. While Apple Arcade focuses on exciting exclusives, Google Play Pass hones in on multiplatform hits you've heard of that happen to be available on the Play Store. Here are some of the highlights: Stardew Valley, Star Wars: KOTOR, This War of Mine, Limbo, Death Squared, Sonic the Hedgehog, Terraria, Portal Knights, and Monument Valley 2.

Google Play Pass also costs $5 per month, but an annual subscription is only $30.  Subscribers may install any of the included apps and games, and use them on their devices. Additionally, Play Pass subscribers may share the subscription with up to five family members. If you're an Android user, Google Play Pass is a cheap way to play premium mobile games, especially if you go with the yearly subscription and share with family members.

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Source:google.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • You get access to over 350 commercial apps and games that don't include ads or in-game purchases.

  • Google Play Pass is only available in the United States.

  • You may share the games and apps with up to five family members.

  • Apps and games are not exclusive, and many have been in sales in the past.


  • It is unclear how many new apps and games will be added to the service, and if apps or games may also be removed.

8. Amazon Luna-Prime Gaming

  • Price: Free to $10 per month

  • 7-Day Free Trial

  • Supported hardware: Fire TV devices, Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, Android

Luna is Amazon's cloud-based service, that offers different catalogs for between $4.99 and $17.99 a month. Luna is segmented by Channels: 

  • The Luna+ channel is $9.99 per month and includes a wide variety of games in different genres;

  • The Ubisoft+ Channel is $17.99 per month for access to dozens of Ubisoft games, like Assassins' Creed. It works on Windows PC, Mac, Fire TV, Fire tablets, iPad, Chromebooks, and phones. 

  • The Jackbox Channel is $4.99 per month for access to party games;

  • The retro Channel is $4.99 per month for access to must-play classics and retro-style throwbacks;

  • The family Channel is $4.99 per month for access to gaming fun for the whole family.

Prime members can stream some games at no additional cost, and also get access to "a rotating selection" of full downloadable games. Amazon also owns Twitch, so there's deep built-in integration for streamers. 

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Source:amazon.com

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • Very low latency in most cases

  • Maximum 1080p graphics (for now)

  • Good overall performance

  • Windows 10 app has some issues

  • Amazon Prime offers some games for free

  • The lowest-latency experience requires the Amazon Luna controller

  • Most channels are reasonably priced


  • Works well in web browsers


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2022-10-20 01:56318